Paraprofessionals provide educational assistance. They work directly with students in small groups or even one-on-one tutoring sessions and generally help facilitate the teacher's lesson plan. 

You do not necessarily need a college degree to become a paraprofessional, but there is a credentialing process that you may be required to go through.

 In this article, we take a look at how you can become a paraprofessional in the state of Kansas.

Kansas' Unique System

Most states in the country have mandatory statewide paraprofessional requirements. Kansas is unique in that it allows school districts to develop their own hiring standards. 

For this reason, requirements can vary enormously from location to location. While this may confuse the process on your end, it could theoretically open the door to more opportunities.

That said, there are a few situations in which stricter regulatory standards do apply, most specifically in Title 1 schools.

Title 1 Requirements

Schools that receive Title 1 funding have stricter hiring protocols. To become a paraprofessional in a Title 1 school, you'll need one of the following:

• 48 hours of college coursework at an accredited institution

• An associate's degree or higher

• Pass a state-approved assessment

The most common state assessment used for paraprofessionals is the ParaPro by ETS, which is a single comprehensive exam that covers your basic understanding of reading, writing, and mathematics. 

There are several other state-approved testing options, but they are, for the most part, equally strenuous.

Specialized Paraprofessional Positions

While it is true that Kansas applies a uniquely lenient standard toward paraprofessional credentialing in certain contexts, specialized jobs do require additional steps. These positions include:

• Special education paraprofessionals

• Pre-K paraprofessionals

• Bilingual paraprofessionals

In these cases, the training will depend on the position:

• Special education paraprofessionals must receive additional training and certifications relevant to IEPs, student confidentiality, and may also be required to participate in continuing education initiatives specific to special education.

• Pre-K paraprofessionals may be required to achieve a Child Development Associate or CDA certification or hold an associate's degree in early childhood education. Failing this, a preschool paraprofessional will typically be at least required to meet Title 1 requirements.

• Bilingual/ESL paraprofessionals naturally need to prove that they are language proficient.

Why pursue these jobs if they are harder to get? There are a few reasons. Specialized paraprofessional positions generally have higher pay. They're also in greater demand in many cases.

What Do Most Kansas School Districts Look For?

We mentioned earlier that school districts are able to set their own standards. This means that some will be more permissive in the credentials that they look for. 

That said, it's generally true that the majority of school districts adhere to the Title 1 standard. 

This is a pretty typical paraprofessional qualification benchmark that is recognized in most states and school districts. You may be able to get hired without any form of college education or equivalency test, but know that it never hurts to have these.

 If you want a qualification that will maximize your chances of finding an ideal placement, achieving at least one of the Title 1 benchmarks is a great way to do it. 

How to Become a Paraprofessional in Kansas

Even in states that don't use Kansas' flexible hiring framework for paraprofessionals, it is often possible to find paraprofessional work before you've achieved your credentials. Here's a step-by-step look at how to become a paraprofessional in Kansas:

• Step 1: Search for openings. You can find job listings on educatekansas.org and filter for positions specific to paraprofessionals. You can also check on the website of districts or schools you are interested in working at.

• Step 2: Understand the specific requirements. Again, this is going to vary pretty dramatically from school to school and may be more stringent in Title 1 districts.

• Step 3: Prepare your application. Even if you don't have experience working in a school before, you can still set your application apart with any experience related to working with children. This can include time working as a tutor, in a summer camp, at a daycare, etc. Once you've developed a strong application, start sending it out.

• Step 4: Nail the interview. Making a good impression in the interview is an excellent way to set yourself apart. Keep in mind that this is a high-turnover position. School districts are desperate for reliability signals. If you can show up on time, dress professionally, and communicate clearly, it'll go a long way toward setting you apart.

Assuming everything goes well and the school district is interested in hiring you, you'll need to pass a background check, which will be required by all school districts.

Conclusion

There are hundreds of open paraprofessional jobs in Kansas. School districts always need people they can rely on. 

If you're committed to satisfying what often comes down to relatively achievable credentials, and you can show up to work on time day in and day out, you will find opportunities. 

The question is not if you'll find a Kansas teaching job, but what it will take to achieve your ideal placement. 

Many people are attracted to education for the fact that it's an in-demand career. Often, they're surprised that they can't find a job within convenient driving distance of their home. 

Though it is true that most schools have a regular need for paraprofessionals, that doesn't necessarily mean that you'll get your ideal job the first time you apply for it.

If you've never had a paraprofessional job before, you may need to broaden your search slightly. Not only will this give you a higher volume of jobs to apply for, but it may also expose you to districts that apply a relatively lenient hiring standard. Once you get your foot in the door, it's easier to find more opportunities.

If you want to give yourself every possible advantage, consider signing up for Zen Educate. Not only will we connect you with more resources like this, but you'll also join our network and gain exposure to schools actively looking for paraprofessionals in your area. Sign up today to take the friction out of your job hunt and find your ideal placement.